A.F.S.S. Visitation & Exchange Policy



1. Purpose


Alaska Family Safety (AFSS) provides a safe, neutral, and structured environment for supervised visitation and supervised exchange services. Our goal is to ensure the physical and emotional safety of children while supporting court-ordered contact between parents and their children.



2. Scope of Services


AFSS offers the following levels of service:

  1. Level 1 – Standard Supervision: Direct observation of all interactions between the child(ren) and visiting parent.
  2. Level 2 – Protective Supervision: For cases involving a protective order for the custodial parent; child(ren) were not victims or witnesses of domestic violence.
  3. Level 3 – Trauma-Informed Supervision: For cases where the child(ren) were victims or witnesses of physical or sexual abuse.
  4. Level 4 – Virtual Supervision: Supervision via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Skype.
  5. Level 5 – Supervised Exchange Only: Monitored exchange of children between parents without visitation.
  6. Supplemental Screening: Drug/alcohol screening may be required before visits, regardless of service level.



3. Confidentiality & Privacy


AFSS complies with all applicable federal and state confidentiality laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Alaska privacy statutes, and OCS confidentiality requirements. Information obtained during intake or service provision will be kept confidential unless disclosure is required by:

  1. A signed release of information
  2. Court order
  3. A mandated report of abuse or neglect (AS 47.17)



4. Document Handling & Communications


  1. All documentation, including referral forms and visit reports, are handled according to strict confidentiality guidelines. The following rules apply to the use of the Attorney and Agency Referral Form:
  2. Do not submit full names of children via public webforms or email; use initials only (e.g., “C.S.”).
  3. Do not upload or submit documents that include PHI, mental health records, or reports from OCS or similar agencies via public-facing portals.
  4. AFSS maintains both HIPAA-compliant fax and secure online portals for submitting protected health information and confidential communications. To transmit sensitive or protected information, contact AFSS at (907) 202-5622 to arrange secure delivery.
  5. AFSS’s HIPAA Privacy and Security Policy outlines organizational practices for safeguarding PHI, including the use of locked physical storage, access-controlled electronic systems, secure email, and staff training. PHI is used or disclosed only as permitted by law (e.g., for safety planning, court compliance, or authorized provider communication) and is never shared for marketing or commercial purposes. Clients have rights to access, correct, and restrict use of their PHI in accordance with legal requirements and AFSS protocols.



5. Rules of Conduct


To ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for children and families, all participants in visitation or exchange services at Alaska Family Safety (AFSS) are required to follow these conduct guidelines:


5.1 Arrival and Departure

  1. Parents must adhere strictly to assigned arrival and departure times to avoid interaction between parties.
  2. Custodial and non-custodial parties must use separate entrances/exits as directed by staff.
  3. Late arrivals may result in shortened visits or cancellations.

5.2 Supervised Environment

  1. All interactions during supervised visitation are monitored by trained staff.
  2. The visiting parent must comply with any other conditions set forth in the Family Visitation Plan or by the referring agency (which will be included in the Family Visitation Plan).
  3. Only persons who have prior approval to attend visitation with the visiting parent and children will be allowed to attend supervised visits. Approval must be given by AFSS prior to the visit.
  4. Parents must follow all instructions provided by AFSS staff during visitation.
  5. Physical contact must be appropriate and respectful (e.g., hugging, holding hands). Staff may intervene if boundaries are not observed.
  6. Conversations must remain child-focused. Discussions about legal matters, custody, court cases, or other adults are not permitted.

5.3 Language and Behavior

  1. Vulgar, threatening, or derogatory language is strictly prohibited.
  2. Any form of intimidation, harassment, or manipulation (verbal or non-verbal) toward the child, other parent, or staff is grounds for termination of the visit.
  3. All parties must treat AFSS staff and other clients with respect.

5.4 Prohibited Items and Substances

  1. Firearms, weapons, or dangerous items are strictly prohibited on AFSS property. This includes pepper spray, pocket knives, or similar items.
  2. Individuals showing signs of impairment due to alcohol, drugs, or any other substance will not be permitted to visit or participate in exchanges.
  3. Tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and drug use are prohibited on-site and during virtual visits.

5.5 Recording and Communication Devices

  1. No audio or video recording is permitted during visits or exchanges, unless explicitly authorized by court order and/or AFSS.
  2. Limited photographs (e.g., selfies or photos with children) may be permitted only with prior approval from AFSS before the scheduled visitation time.
  3. Cell phones must be silenced and stored away unless use is necessary and pre-approved (e.g., for video calls during virtual visits).

5.6 Food, Gifts, and Personal Items

  1. Snacks and meals may be allowed if pre-approved by staff and appropriate for the setting.
  2. Gifts are allowed with prior approval but must be child-appropriate and unwrapped. Gift bags with an open top and tissue paper are permitted with AFSS approval.
  3. Medication, hygiene items, or personal belongings must be disclosed to and approved by staff before the visit.

5.7 Compliance and Consequences

  1. Repeated violations of these rules or any conduct that compromises safety may result in:
  2. Warnings or redirection by staff
  3. Suspension of visits or exchanges
  4. Notification to the referring court or agency
  5. Termination of services



5.8 Off-Site Supervised Visitation

  1. Off-site supervised visitation may be permitted at the discretion of AFSS and only in public places (e.g., parks, libraries, or child-friendly community centers).
  2. Off-site visits require prior approval from AFSS and may only occur if specifically authorized in the Family Visitation Plan.
  3. The visiting parent must adhere to all instructions from the supervising staff and comply with all standard visitation rules while off-site.
  4. Any attempt to leave the designated public area or engage in unsupervised interaction will result in immediate termination of the visit and may impact future visitation eligibility.
  5. The presence of third parties during off-site visits is subject to AFSS approval in advance.




6. Supervised Exchange Policy


AFSS provides supervised child exchanges to ensure safe, neutral, and structured transitions between parents or guardians, consistent with court orders and child safety best practices.

  1. All exchanges are conducted in accordance with any existing court orders, including no-contact provisions, restraining orders, or specific conditions about locations, timing, and third-party involvement.
  2. Exchanges must occur at AFSS-approved locations or designated exchange points and are monitored by AFSS staff to minimize conflict and ensure child safety.
  3. Only court-approved individuals may be present during exchanges. Unauthorized third parties will not be permitted to participate.
  4. All individuals operating vehicles for the transportation of children during supervised exchanges must possess a valid driver’s license and be in lawful physical and mental condition to drive.
  5. Vehicles used during exchanges must be legally registered and insured.
  6. Proof of valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance must be made available to AFSS staff for inspection prior to and during any supervised exchanges.
  7. All children must be secured in a properly installed child safety restraint system appropriate to their age, height, and weight, in compliance with guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  8. Any concerns about vehicle safety, driver behavior, or compliance with safety restraint laws will be reported to the appropriate authorities and may result in the suspension of exchange privileges.
  9. Participants are expected to remain respectful and follow all instructions issued by AFSS staff during exchanges.
  10. Only court-approved individuals may be present during exchanges. Unauthorized third parties will not be permitted to participate.
  11. All individuals operating vehicles for the transportation of children during supervised exchanges must possess a valid driver’s license and be in lawful physical and mental condition to drive.
  12. Vehicles used during exchanges must be legally registered and insured.
  13. All children must be secured in a properly installed child safety restraint system appropriate to their age, height, and weight, in compliance with guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  14. Any concerns about vehicle safety, driver behavior, or compliance with safety restraint laws will be reported to the appropriate authorities and may result in the suspension of exchange privileges.
  15. Participants are expected to remain respectful and follow all instructions issued by AFSS staff during exchanges.


AFSS may modify or limit participation in supervised exchanges based on risk assessments, noncompliance with rules, or safety concerns.



7. Fees and Payment Policy


AFSS provides professional visitation and exchange services that require timely payment to maintain service access. Key points regarding fees and payment obligations include:

  1. All intake fees must be paid at the time of submitting the intake application and prior to scheduling any intake interview.
  2. Payment for supervised visitation and exchange services is required no later than five (5) business days prior to the scheduled service.
  3. AFSS offers a sliding scale fee structure for supervised visitation based on gross annual income. Current documentation, including tax returns and recent pay stubs, must be provided to qualify for reduced rates.
  4. Drug and alcohol screening services are subject to additional fees, which must also be paid in advance when required.
  5. Travel-related fees (mileage and staff time) apply to off-site visits or exchanges outside a 5-mile radius of the AFSS office in Kenai, Alaska.
  6. Fees for court testimony, deposition preparation, or administrative support are billed separately and must be paid in advance.
  7. Fee policies may differ for cases referred to AFSS by other agencies or under special arrangements approved by AFSS, including agreements coordinated through attorneys or between parties.

A complete list of current fees and eligibility requirements for reduced rates is available in the AFSS Fee Schedule, which may be accessed at: http://alaskafamilysafety.com.


Failure to comply with payment requirements may result in delayed or suspended services.


AFSS reserves the right to modify or enforce additional rules as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.


8. Mandated Reporting


All AFSS staff are mandated reporters under Alaska law. Any suspected abuse or neglect will be reported to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency and Alaska Office of Children’s Services (OCS) as required by AS 47.17.020.